The foundations of modern science in the Middle Ages

Edward Grant

"Contrary to prevailing opinion, the roots of modern science were planted in the ancient and medieval worlds long before the Scientific Revolution of the seventeenth century. Four essential factors enabled medieval Europe to prepare the way for the new science: translations into Latin of Greek and Arabic scientific texts in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries; the development of universities, which were uniquely Western and used the translations as the basis of a science curriculum; the adjustments of Christianity to secular learning; and the transformation of Aristotle's natural philosophy. This study reviews the accomplishments of medieval science and also carefully considers how they looked forward to the Scientific Revolution." [Back cover].